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Closed-Loop Process Control for Electron Beam Direct Manufacturing

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8650-10-C-5204
Agency Tracking Number: F083-069-2241
Amount: $749,692.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF083-069
Solicitation Number: 2008.3
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2008
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2010-02-19
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2012-05-31
Small Business Information
41B Bisbee Court Suite B4
Santa Fe, NM -
United States
DUNS: 961814998
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Mark Cola
 Operations Manager
 (505) 438-2576
 cola@beyond6-sigma.com
Business Contact
 Erin Mathie
Title: Contracts Manager
Phone: (505) 872-3146
Email: emathie@tmcservices.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Electron Beam Direct Manufacturing (EBDM) has the potential to significantly reduce cost and lead times for such DoD systems as the F-35, if closed loop process control can be implemented. This effort outlines a pragmatic yet effective means of achieving this closed loop control, one that will expand the realm of applications for EBDM significantly. The approach described herein uses commercial off the shelf (COTS) sensors, but has significant process knowledge and process intelligence embedded into a stand-alone process monitoring and control device. No real-time sensors reside in the chamber, thereby greatly reducing the complexity of the interfacing tasks. This current effort will prove the efficacy of this sensing and control approach, but will also demonstrate the technique on a prototypical part mockup that has some common geometric features with actual F-35 parts. Although initially targeted to benefit the F-35, the closed loop system we have proposed herein has very broad applications to virtually any critical component fabrication including aerospace, conventional munitions, and naval applications. BENEFIT: This project will result in dramatic improvements in aircraft and aeroengine prototyping, rapid product development, and even LRIP – low rate initial production. Also the associated lead times for flight hardware will drop from over one year to less than three months for new designs. The logistical implications for both OEM and spare parts are tremendously favourable. It is anticipated that such tremendous cost, lead time and productivity benefits will also accrue to other titanium parts for other defence applications as well as commercial aviation, or to any application that utilizes large, high quality titanium parts. Also, the same methodology could be adapted to steel, monel and aluminium bronze parts, thereby similarly revolutionizing the supply chain for critical naval spares.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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